Verdi for Kids: His Life and Music (For Kids)

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Giuseppe Verdi dominated Italian opera for 50 years, and his operas are performed throughout the world today. Verdi for Kids offers young readers an accessible, behind-the-scenes peek into the exciting world of opera and traces Verdis path to fame, delving into the great composers childhood, musical training, family tragedies, and professional setbacks and successes. Kids also learn about the Italians passion for opera and Italys tumultuous past, key political figures, and cultural pastimes.Aspiring sopranos, baritones, musicians, conductors, and stage directors will learn about opera jobs and production, what happens at rehearsal, and music terms and vocabulary, gaining an understanding of operas rich tradition.

Offering a time line, glossary, and list of additional resources, Verdi for Kids is an engaging resource for students, parents, and teachers. Fun hands-on activities illuminate both the music concepts introduced and the times in which Verdi lived.

Synopsis:

Giuseppe Verdi, one of the most influential composers of the 19th century and a dominant force in Italian opera for 50 years, is illuminated in this thorough exploration geared toward young musicians. Offering insight into Verdis long life&#8212;from the horrible loss of his family to the disapproving opinions of his neighbors&#8212;and opening the world of opera and Italian culture, this resource creates an accessible and tangible investigation into the elite world of classical opera. Engaging and creative activities, such as singing like a diva, making a panpipe, playing bocce ball, and sketching a costume for Falstaff, reinforce the musical concepts and terms that are introduced within and elucidate the times in which Verdi lived. Along with learning about various opera jobs, opera production, what takes place at rehearsals, and opera house history, inquisitive kids will gain a fuller understanding of Verdis life, times, and music and how the composer intersected with the great musicians and events of his lifetime.

About the Author

Helen Bauer is the author of Beethoven for Kids and Young Peoples Guide to Classical Music. She lives in Delray Beach, Florida. Deborah Voigt is one of the worlds leading opera singers, most famous for her performances of the great heroines of composers Richard Wagner, Richard Strauss, and Giuseppe Verdi.

Giuseppe Verdi, one of the most influential composers of the 19th century and a dominant force in Italian opera for 50 years, is illuminated in this thorough exploration geared toward young musicians. Offering insight into Verdis long life&#8212;from the horrible loss of his family to the disapproving opinions of his neighbors&#8212;and opening the world of opera and Italian culture, this resource creates an accessible and tangible investigation into the elite world of classical opera. Engaging and creative activities, such as singing like a diva, making a panpipe, playing bocce ball, and sketching a costume for Falstaff, reinforce the musical concepts and terms that are introduced within and elucidate the times in which Verdi lived. Along with learning about various opera jobs, opera production, what takes place at rehearsals, and opera house history, inquisitive kids will gain a fuller understanding of Verdis life, times, and music and how the composer intersected with the great musicians and events of his lifetime.

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